The Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), in effect since 1970, is the only binding multilateral treaty with the goal of nuclear disarmament by the nuclear-weapon states.

In order to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons and work toward complete disarmament, 190 parties have joined the Treaty, including the five nuclear-weapon States. The United Nations states that “More countries have ratified the NPT than any other arms limitation and disarmament agreement, a testament to the Treaty’s significance.” Every five years NPT talks take place to assess what progress has been made over the past 45 years, after which a document which details future action is signed. At the 2015 Review Conference recently held in New York, Canada was among those countries which declined to sign this document.

The National Council of Women of Canada strongly urges the Government to reconsider its position and to work toward a world free of nuclear weapons. The 1996 ruling of the International Court of Justice stated that all countries have an obligation under international law to conclude negotiations to eliminate nuclear weapons.

Sincerely,

National Council of Women of Canada

Karen Monnon Dempsey, President

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